Cable retention mechanism

ABSTRACT

A cable retention mechanism locks an external connector with an input/output (I/O) connector of an electronic device. The mechanism includes a retention housing having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, the second surface adjacent to the device housing when the retention mechanism and the electronic device are coupled to one another. The mechanism includes a retainer including a mounting arrangement defining a channel receiving a cable of the external connector, the mounting arrangement biased to apply a first retaining force to the cable. The retainer includes a biasing member compressing a portion of the mounting arrangement such that a width of the channel decreases as the channel approaches the second surface, the biasing member applying a second retaining force to the mounting arrangement to increase the first retaining force. When tension is applied to the cable, the biasing member increases the second retaining force.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

An electronic device may be configured to electronically couple to afurther electronic device. For example, a desktop computer may beelectronically coupled to a monitor. In view of the necessity of themonitor for operation of the applications executed on the desktopcomputer, ends of a monitor cable include locking screws to provide asemi-permanent coupling between the desktop computer and the monitorcable as well as the monitor and the monitor cable. Therefore, anextreme amount of force may be required to inadvertently remove the endof the monitor cable from a port of the electronic devices. However, anelectronic device may also be configured to couple to other electronicdevices. For example, a mobile unit may be electronically coupled to thedesktop computer for data to be synchronized. However, in view of themobile unit being utilized in a mobile manner, ends of a connectingcable utilize a relatively weaker coupling such as spring basedconnectors. When an inadvertent force is applied to the connectingcable, the mobile unit may be inadvertently decoupled from the desktopcomputer. That is, the electronic device may no longer be coupled to thefurther electronic device.

There are a variety of reasons in which secured locking features are notutilized on the connecting ends of a connecting cable. In particular,when relating to connecting a mobile unit to an electronic device orwhen relating to a temporary connection, locking features areconventionally not provided on the ends of the connecting cable. Forexample, in a vehicle mounted computer, external devices may beelectronically coupled thereto using various different input/outputconnectors (e.g., USB, audio jack, Ethernet, etc.). Again, with nolocking features, the ends of the cable may easily be pulled out of theports which is disruptive and substantially reduces productivity. Aseparate physical component may be used to retain the ends of the cablein the electronic devices to maintain the electronic coupling. However,these components conventionally are difficult to install, difficult toremove, and not easy for service (e.g., tie wraps). Other componentsonly provide a compressive force laterally along the cable that isreceived in the component usually relying solely on friction such thatany other inadvertent force still results in the cable beingdisconnected.

Accordingly, there is a need for a cable retention mechanism thatprevents ends of a cable that electronically couples two electronicdevices from being removed from ports of the devices by any inadvertentforce that would cause the end of the cable from being removed from theports.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying figures, where like reference numerals refer toidentical or functionally similar elements throughout the separateviews, together with the detailed description below, are incorporated inand form part of the specification, and serve to further illustrateembodiments of concepts that include the claimed invention, and explainvarious principles and advantages of those embodiments.

FIG. 1 shows an electronic device that utilizes a retention mechanism inaccordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 2 shows a side view of the retention mechanism used with theelectronic device of FIG. 1 in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the retention mechanism used with theelectronic device of FIG. 1 in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 4A shows a retainer of the retention mechanism in accordance withsome embodiments.

FIG. 4B shows a spring wire of the retainer in accordance with someembodiments.

FIG. 5 shows the retention mechanism with a cable received in theretainer in accordance with some embodiments.

Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the figures areillustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily beendrawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements inthe figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help toimprove understanding of embodiments of the present invention.

The apparatus and method components have been represented whereappropriate by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only thosespecific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments ofthe present invention so as not to obscure the disclosure with detailsthat will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the arthaving the benefit of the description herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The exemplary embodiments provide a cable retention mechanism. The cableretention mechanism is for locking an external connector with aninput/output (I/O) connector of an electronic device. The mechanismcomprises a retention housing configured to couple to the electronicdevice, the retention housing having a first surface and a secondsurface opposite the first surface, the second surface being adjacent tothe device housing when the retention mechanism and the electronicdevice are coupled to one another; and a retainer disposed at leastpartially within the retention housing and including: a mountingarrangement defining a channel configured to receive a cable of theexternal connector, the mounting arrangement being biased to apply afirst retaining force to the cable; and a biasing member coupled to themounting arrangement, the biasing member compressing a portion of themounting arrangement adjacent to the channel such that a width of thechannel decreases as the channel approaches the second surface, thebiasing member applying a second retaining force to the mountingarrangement to increase the first retaining force, wherein, when tensionis applied to the cable, the biasing member increases the secondretaining force.

The exemplary embodiments may be further understood with reference tothe following description and the appended drawings, wherein likeelements are referred to with the same reference numerals. The exemplaryembodiments describe a cable retention mechanism that couples to anelectronic device. The cable retention mechanism includes at least oneretainer that receives a cable in which an end of the cable is receivedin an input/output (I/O) connector of the electronic device. Theretainer includes a spring wire that is configured to apply a force onthe cable to prevent the end of the cable from being removed from theI/O connector. The spring wire is further configured to apply anincreased force on the cable when the cable is subject to a pullingforce that would otherwise remove the end of the cable from the I/Oconnector. The cable retention mechanism, the electronic device, theretainer, the cable, the ends thereof, the I/O connector, and the springwire will be discussed in further detail below.

FIG. 1 shows an electronic device 100 that utilizes a retentionmechanism in accordance with some embodiments. The electronic device 100may be any electronic device configured to be electronically coupled toa further electronic device. For example, the electronic device 100 maybe a desktop computer, a laptop, a cellular phone, a smartphone, apersonal digital assistant, a tablet, an imager (e.g., a barcodescanner), etc. The electronic device 100 may include a housing 105, adisplay device 110, an input device 115, a first I/O connector 120, afirst locking arrangement 125 a, 125 b, a second I/O connector 130, anda second locking arrangement 135 a, 135 b. FIG. 1 illustrates anexterior view of the electronic device 100 with a constructive view ofthe I/O connectors and the locking arrangements that are partiallydisposed within the housing 105 but exposed to an exterior of thehousing 105.

It should be noted that the electronic device 100 may include furtherconventional components. For example, the electronic device 100 mayinclude a processor, a memory arrangement, a transceiver, a portablepower supply, an audio output component, audio input component, etc.These components may provide conventional functionalities for theelectronic device 100. The display device 110 and the input device 115may also provide conventional functionalities for the electronic device100. For example, the display device 110 may show data to a user whilethe input device 115 may enable the user to provide inputs. The displaydevice 110 may also be a touch enabled component in which inputs may beprovided on a surface thereof such that the input device 115 isincorporated in the display device 110.

The I/O connectors 120, 130 may be any component configured to receivean end of a cable such that an electronic connection may be establishedbetween the electronic device 100 and a further electronic device. Forexample, the I/O connectors 120, 130 may be ports that receive arespective jack of the cable. The I/O connectors 120, 130 may utilizeany shape and size that corresponds to the shape and size of the end ofthe cable. For example, if the I/O connector 120 is an audio port, theI/O connector 120 may be a substantially cylindrical recess as the audiojack has a substantially cylindrical shape. In another example, if theI/O connector 130 is a data port such as a USB port, the I/O connector130 may be a substantially rectangular recess as the USB jack has asubstantially rectangular shape. The I/O connectors 120, 130 may includeinternal wiring or connections to further components of the electronicdevice 100 such as the processor, the audio output component, etc.

The locking arrangements 125 a, 125 b, 135 a, 135 b may be any componentconfigured to couple to corresponding locking arrangements of theretention mechanism. As will be described in further detail below, thelocking arrangements 125 a, 125 b, 135 a, 135 b semi-permanently couplethe retention mechanism to the housing 105 such that an inadvertentforce applied to the retention mechanism is incapable of decoupling theretention mechanism from the housing 105.

It should be noted that the electronic device 100 may be configured withany number of I/O connectors and that the use of the I/O connector 120and the I/O connector 130 is only exemplary. For example, only a singleI/O connector may be included with the electronic device 100. In anotherexample, three or more I/O connectors may be included with theelectronic device 100. However, as the retention mechanism of theexemplary embodiments are used as a manner of retaining an end of acable within the I/O connector, at least one I/O connector is includedwith the electronic device 100. The I/O connectors 120, 130 beingdisposed at bottom and top surfaces of the housing 105, respectively,are only exemplary as well. The I/O connectors of the electronic device100 may be disposed on any of the surfaces of the housing 105. It shouldalso be noted that the I/O connectors 120, 130 being described as arecess (female) that receives the end of the cable (male) is onlyexemplary. The I/O connectors 120, 130 may also be extensions (male)extending from the housing 105 while the ends of the cable includerecesses (female). That is, an opposite configuration may also beutilized. The housing 105 may include further features such that thisconfiguration provides a substantially similar flush feature withregards to the housing. For example, the I/O connectors 120, 130 (asextensions) may be received within the housing 105 when not in use andreleased from the housing 105 (extending from housing 105) whenrequired.

It should further be noted that the locking arrangements 125 a, 125 b,135 a, 135 b having multiple components surrounding the I/O connectors120, 130, respectively, is only exemplary. As illustrated and as will bedescribed in further detail below, the locking arrangements 125 a, 125b, 135 a, 135 b may be threaded recesses that receive a screw from thecorresponding locking arrangement of the retention mechanism.Accordingly, a first threaded recess may be disposed on a first side ofthe I/O connector while a second threaded recess may be disposed on asecond side of the I/O connector (e.g., to provide stabilization).However, any type of locking arrangement may be utilized. For example,clips, hook and loop fasteners, magnets, etc. that provide a sufficientenough coupling between the electronic device 100 and the retentionmechanism may be used. It should also be noted that the disposition ofthe locking arrangements 125 a, 125 b, 135 a, 135 b on opposing ends ofthe I/O connectors 120, 130, respectively, is only exemplary. Thelocking arrangements 125 a, 125 b, 135 a, 135 b may be disposed on anyportion of the housing so long as the retention mechanism is properlyoriented to provide its functionality with respect to the I/O connectors120, 130.

FIG. 2 shows a side view of the retention mechanism 200 used with theelectronic device 100 of FIG. 1 in accordance with some embodiments.FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the retention mechanism 200 used withthe electronic device 100 of FIG. 1 in accordance with some embodiments.The retention mechanism 200 enables a cable to be held such that a forceapplied to the cable prevents an end of the cable that is received inthe I/O connectors 120, 130 from being removed. The retention mechanism200 includes a housing 205, a locking arrangement 210 a, 210 b, and aplurality of retainers 215.

The housing 205 of the retention mechanism 200 may include a moldingsuch that the locking arrangement 210 and the retainers 215 may be atleast partially disposed on the housing 205. The locking arrangement 210a, 210 b may be the corresponding component to the locking arrangements125 a, 125 b, 135 a, 135 b of the electronic device 100. For example,when the locking arrangements 125 a, 125 b, 135 a, 135 b of theelectronic device 100 are threaded recesses, the locking arrangement 210a, 210 b of the retention mechanism 200 may include a screw. Asillustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the locking arrangement 210 a, 210 b mayalso be a threaded recess that receives a separate screw that may bethreadedly engaged with the recess of the locking arrangement 210 a, 210b and also with the recess of the locking arrangements 125 a, 125 b, 135a, 135 b. That is, the screw may be threaded through the lockingarrangement 210 a, 210 b and subsequently the locking arrangements 125a, 125 b, 135 a, 135 b. Since the locking arrangement 210 a, 210 b ofthe retention mechanism is designed to be utilized in conjunction withthe locking arrangements 125 a, 125 b, 135 a, 135 b of the electronicdevice 100, the locking arrangement 210 a, 210 b may be spacedaccordingly. For example, if the locking arrangements 125 a, 125 b, 135a, 135 b are shown to scale, the locking arrangement 125 a, 125 b isspaced further apart than the locking arrangement 135 a, 135 b.Therefore, a retention mechanism 200 that couples to the electronicdevice 100 for the I/O connector 120 may thus include a lockingarrangement 210 a, 210 b that corresponds to the spacing distance of thelocking arrangement 125 a, 125 b. The same applies to a retentionmechanism 200 that couples to the electronic device 100 for the I/Oconnector 130.

It should again be noted that the locking arrangement 210 a, 210 b beinga screw or recess that receives a separate screw is only exemplary andthat any coupling arrangement may be used. For example, the housing 205of the retention mechanism 200 may include a casing component such asbumpers extending from the housing 205 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. Thecasing component may conform to the housing 105 of the electronic device100 such that the electronic device 100 is firmly held therewithin,thereby coupling the retention mechanism 200 to the electronic device100. In such an embodiment, it should be noted that the lockingarrangement 210 a, 210 b of the retention mechanism 200 and the lockingarrangements 125 a, 125 b, 135 a, 135 b of the electronic device 100 maybe unnecessary. It should also be noted that the disposition of thelocking arrangement 210 a, 210 b on ends of the housing 205 is onlyexemplary and that the locking arrangement 210 a, 210 b may be disposedanywhere on the housing 205 that corresponds to the locking arrangements125 a, 125 b, 135 a, 135 b of the electronic device 100.

The retainers 215 are the component of the retention mechanism 200 thatreceives the cable and prevents forces to be applied on the cable thatwould remove the end of the cable from the I/O connectors 120, 130 ofthe electronic device 100. As shown, the retention mechanism 200 mayinclude four retainers 215 such that four different cables may bereceived therein concurrently. Accordingly, the I/O connectors 120, 130may also be configured to receive at least four different cable ends. Itshould be noted that the use of four retainers 215 is only exemplary andthe retention mechanism 200 may include any number of retainers 215.However, at least one retainer 215 is included in the retentionmechanism 200.

FIG. 4A shows the retainer 215 of the retention mechanism 200 inaccordance with some embodiments. The retainer 215 is configured toreceive a cable therein such that it is held to prevent a force that isapplied to the cable from removing the cable end from the I/O connectors120, 130. The retainer 215 includes a mounting 220, a channel 225,gripping features 230, and a spring wire 235.

The mounting 220 includes the channel 225 that receives the cable. Asillustrated in FIG. 4A, when viewed from a side, the mounting 220 is asubstantially M-shaped component. The outer legs of the mounting 220 maybe permanently coupled to the housing 205. The inner legs of themounting 220 may be shaped to create the channel 225. Accordingly,towards a top side of the mounting 220 (opposite side of the permanentcoupling to the housing 205), the channel 225 opens to an exterior. Thecable may be received from this opening of the channel 225 and moveddownward. As the inner legs of the mounting 220 converge from theopening toward the opposite end, the cable pushes the inner legs apartfrom each other. The materials used by the mounting 220 may besufficiently elastic such that the cable may be moved in this manner.Furthermore, the inner legs of the mounting 220 provide a clamping forceon the cable. Specifically, the inner legs provide a lateral force onthe cable to retain the cable in the channel 230. In addition, the cablemay be moved in this direction toward the gripping features 230. Thegripping features 230 are disposed on the inner legs of the mounting 220substantially across an entire length thereof parallel (or coaxial) tothe channel 225. The gripping features 230 are configured to provide anadditional frictional force to be applied to retain the cable in thechannel 225. For example, the gripping features 230 may be roundedextensions (as illustrated in FIG. 4A). In another example, the grippingfeatures 230 may be ribs, a roughened surface, etc. The forces appliedby the mounting 220 and the gripping features 230 may provide sufficientretention on the cable such that a predetermined maximum amount of forceapplied on the cable in a longitudinal or lateral direction relative tothe cable does not remove the end of the cable from being removed fromthe I/O connectors 120, 130.

It should be noted that the channel 225 may be sized to accommodate aplurality of different sized cables. In a first exemplary embodiment andas illustrated in FIG. 4A, the channel 225 may include an increased areaportion near the gripping features 230 for the cable to received in apredetermined position. The increased area portion may correspond to thediameter of the cable that is to be received. In order to furtheraccommodate other cables having different sizes, the further retainers215 of the retention mechanism 200 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 may havedifferent respectively sized increased area portions for these othercables. In a second exemplary embodiment, the channel 225 may beconfigured to increase in size to accommodate cables having increaseddiameters. Initially, the channel 225 may be sized to be the same sizeof a minimum diameter cable. The gripping features 230 may be reliedupon to retain the cable in the channel 225. Furthermore, the materialused for the mounting 220 may be sufficiently elastic for the channel225 to be increased in size to accommodate other cables having a greaterdiameter. Thus, a single channel 225 may accommodate different cableshaving different sized.

In addition to the mounting 220 and the gripping features 230, theretainer 215 may include the spring wire 235. FIG. 4B shows the springwire 235 of the retainer 215 in accordance with some embodiments. Thespring wire 235 may be a biasing member. The spring wire 235 may includea loop portion 245 and ends 250. Specifically, as illustrated in FIG.4B, the spring wire 235 may be substantially U-shaped when viewed from afirst side and may be substantially C-shaped when viewed from a secondside. The spring wire 235 may be sized such that it is disposed beneaththe M-shaped mounting 220. Specifically, the spring wire 235 may bepositioned relative to the mounting 220 such that the ends 250 engage aninterior side of the inner legs of the mounting 220.

Initially, the spring wire 235 may further provide a biasing force tothe inner legs of the mounting 220 such that the predetermined maximumamount of force that would remove the cable ends from the I/O connectors120, 130 may be increased. Specifically, a further lateral force may beadded to each inner leg of the mounting 220 by the spring wire 235.Accordingly, the spring wire 235 may be made of a sufficiently elasticmaterial to provide this feature. Therefore, as the cable is received inthe channel, the inner legs of the mounting 220 may separate. Therounded extensions of the gripping features 230 may further cause theinner legs of the mounting 220 to separate as the cable is received inthis portion of the inner legs of the mounting 220. Since the springwire 235 is biased such that the ends 250 converge toward each other,the spring wire 235 may provide this additional biasing force on theinner legs of the mounting 220 such that the predetermined maximumamount of force is increased.

Furthermore, as illustrated in FIG. 4B, the spring wire 235 is shapedsuch that the ends 250 are predisposed to be angled toward each other ona top side. The mounting 220 may also be shaped to accommodate thisshape of the spring wire 235. The angling of the ends 250 may cause themounting 220 to have a substantial V-shape when viewed from a top sideof the retainer 215. That is, the top sides of the mounting 220 (wherethe outer legs and the inner legs are coupled) are not parallel butinstead are angled to converge toward each other. An initial orientationof the top sides of the mounting 220 may be, for example, parallel toone another. By introduction of the spring wire 235 in its desiredposition and orientation relative to the mounting 220, the top sides ofthe mounting 220 may have the substantial V-shape in which the channel225 decreases in width along the length of the mounting 220. FIG. 4Aillustrates an outer distance (OD) between opposing inner legs and aninner distance (ID) between opposing inner legs of the mounting 220. TheOD is the side near the exterior of the retention mechanism 200 (sideremaining exposed after coupling to the electronic device 100) while theID is the side near the interior of the retention mechanism 200 (sidecoupled to the housing 105 of the electronic device 100). When at restwith no cable received in the channel 225, the OD may be greater thanthe ID. That is, the spring wire 235 causes the inner legs of themounting 220 to converge towards each other from the greater OD to thelesser ID.

It should be noted that the V-shape of the mounting 220 may cause anasymmetric force to be applied across the length of the mounting 220.Specifically, a greater “pinching” force may be applied to the cablereceived in the channel 225 near the ID with a lesser force beingapplied on the cable near the OD. However, the gripping features 230and/or the material used to manufacture the mounting 220 may beconfigured such that a constant retaining force is applied to the cableacross the length of the mounting 220. For example, the grippingfeatures 230 may be rounded extensions in which the gripping features230 extend a first, lesser distance near the ID while extending asecond, greater distance near the OD. Accordingly, the distance betweenthe gripping features 230 may be constant along the length of themounting 220 to apply the constant gripping force.

The spring wire 235 and the V-shape of the mounting 220 may provide anadditional feature for retaining the cable in the channel 225.Specifically, when a force is applied on the cable in a direction fromthe ID toward the OD, the spring wire 235 (via its shape, size, andorientation) and the V-shape of the mounting 220 may cause the innerlegs of the mounting 220 to further converge (particularly near the ID),thereby creating a greater lateral force to be applied on the cable.FIG. 5 shows the retention mechanism 200 with a cable 300 received inthe retainer 215 in accordance with some embodiments. When a force isapplied on the cable in the direction A, the spring wire 235 and theV-shape of the mounting 220 cause the inner legs of the mounting 220 toconverge further. In this manner, an additional lateral force is appliedon the cable 330 such that an even greater predetermined amount of forcefor removal is required.

Those skilled in the art will understand that there are manycircumstances in which inadvertent forces are applied to cables thatwould cause the cable end to be removed from the I/O connector. Theretention mechanism 200 provides a first lateral force to be applied onthe cable 300 by the mounting 220 via the spring bias of the material ofthe mounting 220. The retention mechanism 200 provides a second lateralforce to be applied on the cable 300 by the gripping features 230 viathe increased frictional force. The retention mechanism 200 provides athird lateral force to be applied on the cable 300 by the mounting 220from the spring wire 235. When the force in the direction A is applied,the retention mechanism provides an increased third lateral force to beapplied on the cable 300 by the mounting 220 converging further.Accordingly, when the force in the direction A is not applied, thefirst, second, and third lateral forces are used to retain the cable 300in the channel 225 of the retainer 215. When the force in the directionA is applied, the first, second, and increased third lateral forces areused to retain the cable 300 in the channel 225 of the retainer 215.

For purposes of ultimately removing the cable 300 from the retainer 215,a user may manually apply a force that is greater than the predeterminedamount of force created from the first, second, and third lateralforces. As no force is applied in the direction A for removal, the useris not required to consider the fourth lateral force. Once the cable hasbeen removed from the retainer 215, the user may manually remove the endof the cable 300 from the I/O connectors 120, 130.

The exemplary embodiments provide a cable retention mechanism thatcouples to an electronic device. The coupling may be provided using anylocking arrangement that is included with both the retention mechanismand the electronic device or with a casing that is included with theretention mechanism. The electronic device may include an I/O connectorthat couples to an end of a cable. To prevent this end from beingdecoupled from the I/O connector, the retention mechanism is configuredto receive the cable in a retainer. The retainer provides apredetermined amount of lateral force to be applied on the cable suchthat any lesser force (particularly in a direction that decouples thecable end and the I/O connector) is insufficient to decouple the cablefrom the I/O connector. Furthermore, when a force is applied in adirection that decouples the cable end and the I/O connector, theretention mechanism provides an additional lateral force to increase thepredetermined amount of lateral force applied on the cable to furtherensure that the cable end is not decoupled from the I/O connector.

In the foregoing specification, specific embodiments have beendescribed. However, one of ordinary skill in the art appreciates thatvarious modifications and changes can be made without departing from thescope of the invention as set forth in the claims below. Accordingly,the specification and figures are to be regarded in an illustrativerather than a restrictive sense, and all such modifications are intendedto be included within the scope of present teachings.

The benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any element(s) thatmay cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become morepronounced are not to be construed as a critical, required, or essentialfeatures or elements of any or all the claims. The invention is definedsolely by the appended claims including any amendments made during thependency of this application and all equivalents of those claims asissued.

Moreover in this document, relational terms such as first and second,top and bottom, and the like may be used solely to distinguish oneentity or action from another entity or action without necessarilyrequiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between suchentities or actions. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “has”,“having,” “includes”, “including,” “contains”, “containing” or any othervariation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, suchthat a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises, has,includes, contains a list of elements does not include only thoseelements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherentto such process, method, article, or apparatus. An element proceeded by“comprises . . . a”, “has . . . a”, “includes . . . a”, “contains . . .a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence ofadditional identical elements in the process, method, article, orapparatus that comprises, has, includes, contains the element. The terms“a” and “an” are defined as one or more unless explicitly statedotherwise herein. The terms “substantially”, “essentially”,“approximately”, “about” or any other version thereof, are defined asbeing close to as understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, and inone non-limiting embodiment the term is defined to be within 10%, inanother embodiment within 5%, in another embodiment within 1% and inanother embodiment within 0.5%. The term “coupled” as used herein isdefined as connected, although not necessarily directly and notnecessarily mechanically. A device or structure that is “configured” ina certain way is configured in at least that way, but may also beconfigured in ways that are not listed.

It will be appreciated that some embodiments may be comprised of one ormore generic or specialized processors (or “processing devices”) such asmicroprocessors, digital signal processors, customized processors andfield programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) and unique stored programinstructions (including both software and firmware) that control the oneor more processors to implement, in conjunction with certainnon-processor circuits, some, most, or all of the functions of themethod and/or apparatus described herein. Alternatively, some or allfunctions could be implemented by a state machine that has no storedprogram instructions, or in one or more application specific integratedcircuits (ASICs), in which each function or some combinations of certainof the functions are implemented as custom logic. Of course, acombination of the two approaches could be used.

Moreover, an embodiment can be implemented as a computer-readablestorage medium having computer readable code stored thereon forprogramming a computer (e.g., comprising a processor) to perform amethod as described and claimed herein. Examples of suchcomputer-readable storage mediums include, but are not limited to, ahard disk, a CD-ROM, an optical storage device, a magnetic storagedevice, a ROM (Read Only Memory), a PROM (Programmable Read OnlyMemory), an EPROM (Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory), an EEPROM(Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory) and a Flashmemory. Further, it is expected that one of ordinary skill,notwithstanding possibly significant effort and many design choicesmotivated by, for example, available time, current technology, andeconomic considerations, when guided by the concepts and principlesdisclosed herein will be readily capable of generating such softwareinstructions and programs and ICs with minimal experimentation.

The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided to allow the reader toquickly ascertain the nature of the technical disclosure. It issubmitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpretor limit the scope or meaning of the claims. In addition, in theforegoing Detailed Description, it can be seen that various features aregrouped together in various embodiments for the purpose of streamliningthe disclosure. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted asreflecting an intention that the claimed embodiments require morefeatures than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as thefollowing claims reflect, inventive subject matter lies in less than allfeatures of a single disclosed embodiment. Thus the following claims arehereby incorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claimstanding on its own as a separately claimed subject matter.

We claim:
 1. A cable retention mechanism for locking an externalconnector with an input/output connector of an electronic device,comprising: a retention housing configured to couple to the electronicdevice, the retention housing having a first surface and a secondsurface opposite the first surface, the second surface being adjacent tothe device housing when the retention mechanism and the electronicdevice are coupled to one another; and a retainer disposed at leastpartially within the retention housing and including: a mountingarrangement defining a channel configured to receive a cable of theexternal connector, the mounting arrangement being biased to apply afirst retaining force to the cable; and a biasing member coupled to themounting arrangement, the biasing member compressing a portion of themounting arrangement adjacent to the channel such that a width of thechannel decreases as the channel approaches the second surface, thebiasing member applying a second retaining force to the mountingarrangement to increase the first retaining force, the biasing memberhaving ends angled towards each other in a converging V-shape to applyan asymmetric force across a length of the mounting arrangement,wherein, when a longitudinal tension is applied to the cable, thebiasing member increases the second retaining force.
 2. The cableretention mechanism of claim 1, wherein the biasing member is a springwire that is U-shaped when viewed from a first side and C-shaped whenviewed from a second side.
 3. The cable retention mechanism of claim 2,wherein the first portion is disposed at least partially in theretention housing, the first portion configured to engage a secondportion of the locking arrangement that is disposed at least partiallyin the device housing of the electronic device.
 4. The cable retentionmechanism of claim 1, wherein the mounting arrangement includes grippingfeatures configured to increase the first retaining force.
 5. The cableretention mechanism of claim 4, wherein the gripping features arerounded extensions extending into the channel.
 6. The cable retentionmechanism of claim 1, wherein the biasing member has a substantialU-shape corresponding to a substantial M-shape of the mountingarrangement.
 7. The cable retention mechanism of claim 6, wherein themounting arrangement has a shape configured to engage the biasingmember, the substantial U-shape of the biasing member including a loopportion and end portions extending from the loop portion.
 8. The cableretention mechanism of claim 7, wherein the end portions of the biasingmember converge toward each other such that the channel is caused toconverge.
 9. The cable retention mechanism of claim 1, wherein thesecond retaining force is increased from the channel being caused toconverge further.